Connecticut western news., 1887-02-09
AN OLIVE GROVE.
How Olive Raising Has Be. come a California Industry.

come a California In duStry.
 The Fruit of the Mediterranean Now One
 of Americas Products
 From ancient writings, including the Holy Scriptures, it can be ascertained that the olive is one of the oldest known fruits. The Mount of Olives, near Jerusalem, is famous in history. Long before butter was known olive oil was used in the preparation of food. Large quantities of the oil and fruit have from time to time been imported here from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, whence most of the product has been obtained. The climate of California; not being unlike that of the Mediterranean, was considered suitable for the growth of the olive, and an experiment was made which has proved successful. The tree itself is pretty and ornamental. In spring time it is covered with pro- fusion of white flowers, and in winter has an evergreen foliage. When ready for the harvest it is so prolific that the branches bend under the weight of the fruit. Olive wood is also beautiful, and was chosen as parts of the orna- mentation of the spacious and magni- 6cent Solomon's temple. The oil is considered by many as something sacred. As such it is used in consecra- tions and coronations. The ancients used the sprays of olive leaves to crown their great men, as it was believed to be an emblem of purity and peace. It was considered the highest honor to be crowned with olive leaves. In time of | war an olive branch borne in the hand was token of peace, and is even now l spoken of as such.
 | The olive tree lives for long time. Some of the trees on the Mount of Olives, in Judea, are said to be fifteen feet in diameter and over two thousand years old, while that in the Vatican at Rome has record of over thousand years. The olive is very hardy, and will endure treatment which would kill other fruit trees. If infected with insects the en- tire head can be cut off and thrown away, while the trunk will sprout again with renewed vigor. In Southern California it has prospered beyond expectation. Being sensitive to excess i've heat or cold, it's home is in the semi tropical belt represented by the Pacific slope of the United States. It prospers best near the sea, but can be cultivated l short distance inland. With ordinary culture the olive in Europe will produce over twenty gallons of oil per acre, be- sides allowing large quantity of the fruit to be used for eating. Although yet in its infancy in this country, ex- perts have said that the oil produced in California is equal to any which has been imported. Growers say the Cali fornian coast, from Point Conception to San Diego, is equal to that between Geneva and Naples for the produev; on of olives. The importations amount to a large sum annually, and if the best olive oil can, as it is claimed, be produced here and in sufficient quantities, that product will form an addition to the, wealth of the United States. So far as the curing oi the fruit is concerned, experience is like ly to teach the proper treatment, as ii has with the raisin crop. The cuttings of two trees planted in 1876 yielded vel in 18S4-the ordinary time required fol bearing being ten years. The crop o5 these two trees was then seventy five gallons of fruit, which sold readily at $1 per gallon after being prepared fol the table. When taken from the trees the grower realized seventy-fve cent. per gallon. The same trees were loaded down with fruit this season, and in Febru ary will produce a large crop that can bt readily sold at the place of growth a eighty-five cents per gallon Tht trees are planted on hillside, abou
 thirty-6ve or forty feet apart, to allow for expansion, as they will live and pro-
 duce for centuries. An acre of ground will hold about 40 trees. The smal
 fruit is used for oil, while the large ol queen olive is pickled for eating.
 Olive trees can be planted on rock,
 lands, where the vine would fail, ani
 the cost of planting the former is abou
 one-third of the latter. The crops ar
 more easily gathered than grapes, whil
 the outfit for preparing olive oil is abou
 one-tenth of that necessary to produc wine. The insect pest can be tough much easier and with less cost than tn phylloxera or other enemies of the vine Being so prolific it becomes soone profitable to the grower, and each yea after bearing the olive tree produces good crop until it reaches its full de velopment, when it pays much large revenue than vineyard, bearing a cro of from 30 to 40 gallons of fruit pc tree. The olive tree is also not so muc : affected as the vine by drought. Fror the experiments already made and thei 3 results it is believed that the America l olive grove will in a few years becom 2 successful rivals to that of the Mediter a ranean. - Cincinnati Commercial. f One as Tender as the Other.
 Omaha Butcher-"Well, I should sa
 you do look hungry"
 Tramp-"Not had meal since yes